The NBA is back after a long hiatus, and SBOTOP basketball fans are in for a huge treat on opening day because of the games we have in store.
Yes, there are only two games in the schedule, but we can expect to get our fair share of NBA 2024 highlights right from the jump, as the Celtics and Lakers will host the Knicks and Timberwolves, respectively.
Celtics fans at the TD Garden will witness the unveiling of Banner No. 18, which they won last season at the expense of the Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
Elsewhere in the Western Conference, history is going to be made courtesy of the Lakers and the James family.
New York Knicks @ Boston Celtics
The Celtics and the Knicks will face off again on the opening day of the NBA season, but it’ll be under different circumstances this time.
Last year, the game was held in Madison Square Garden, and it was the debuts of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. The Knicks, on the other hand, still had Julius Randle on their roster (now with the Timberwolves).
Boston defeated New York 108-104, as Porzingis notched 30 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks, including nine consecutive points, to put his team ahead for good late in the final period.
Unfortunately for the Celtics, Porzingis won’t play tomorrow as he continues to recover from the “rare” leg injury he sustained during their championship run.
However, another top NBA center will make his debut with his new team, as Porzingis’ NBA Draft batchmate, Karl-Anthony Towns, will play his first regular season game in blue and orange.
Towns was acquired by the Knicks this offseason in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, and the former No. 1 pick is just what New York needs.
He recorded 25 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks during his first-ever game in Madison Square Garden as a member of the Knicks, albeit in preseason, during their win against the Wizards.
Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the most well-rounded centers in the league because of his ability to score from all three levels, which will make New York an even more formidable team since they already have Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart in tow.
As for the Celtics, their championship core is pretty much intact, with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford leading the way. Even without Kristaps Porzingis, the NBA 2024 odds remain in favour of the defending champions.
Betting tip: Boston Celtics Asian Handicap -6.00 @ 2.02
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James is entering his 22nd season in the NBA on Tuesday against the Timberwolves. But unlike in the previous 21 years, he will now have his eldest son, Bronny, on his side.
Bronny James has yet to find his bearings in the NBA after being drafted with the No. 55 pick by the Purple and Gold this summer. And because he is the son of LeBron James, Bronny has been under immense scrutiny.
The 20-year-old combo guard showed glimpses of his 3-and-D potential during the Lakers’ blowout loss against the Warriors in the preseason finale, as Bronny James had 17 points, four rebounds, three steals, one assist, and one block. That should give him some confidence ahead of his regular season debut.
Besides Bronny and LeBron James, the Lakers will be headlined by Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell, with JJ Redick as their new head coach following the sacking of Darvin Ham.
And then there’s also their super rookie, Dalton Knecht, who lit up the competition during preseason. Many analysts believe that Knecht is the steal of the draft, and he is expected to play a bigger role than Bronny James as the 2024-25 season progresses.
Timberwolves fans, on the other hand, are anxious to see how Julius Randle will fit in with Rudy Gobert since neither of them space the floor like Karl-Anthony Towns.
Randle did well in his lone preseason game for Minnesota, notching 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists on 50-per cent shooting from the field in 26 minutes of action.
Either way, Minnesota’s fortunes will largely rest on Anthony Edwards’ shoulders since he is their bona fide franchise cornerstone.
Ant-Man is coming off a career year in 2023-24, averaging 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while leading the Timberwolves to their first Conference Finals appearance since 2003-04.
Betting tip: Minnesota Timberwolves Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.02
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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